§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many animal experiments for cosmetics took place in the United Kingdom in 1978, 1988 and 1989; if these exceed in number the essential minimum referred to by him in his reply to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 6 March,Official Report, column 588; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ForthStatistics on the safety testing of cosmetics and toiletries are published by the Home Office. The latest information is contained in table 3 of the "Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals, Great Britain 1988" and similar information was published in previous years. The number of procedures carried out for the safety testing of cosmetic substances is determined by the requirements of current regulations which are kept to the minimum essential for consumer safety.